Global Ecovillage Network/Solution Library/Cleaning your rain water with a fish

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How keeping clean rain water collected in barrels?

However you collect your rain water, once you store it in a barrel or a container, aquatic plants and insects including mosquitos grow. You can easily get rid of that introducing a fish in your container. The fish will clean the water naturally and transform those plants and insects in excrements that will enrich your garden while watering it. You just have to insure there's no substances that could harm the fish on your roof and find the right type for your weather.

In France mine is a common goldfish and can resist even when the top of the water is frozen, I just need to remove a little piece of ice to help oxygen moving into the barrel. I don't feed him during that period cause he is hibernating. During spring and summer he is sometimes so efficient that I need to check if he has food and sometimes ad some.

• Water Cycles.